Mr Williams today told the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce the Government was "hell-bent on imposing last-century regulation to control a media it doesn't like".

"We are on the precipice of a ham-fisted attempt to restrain, contain and at its worse punish, in a way which is totally out of step with the energy and character of modern media and technology," he said.

Inside the paper Senator Conroy was depicted dressed as Stalin - the Soviet dictator blamed for the deaths of millions of Russians.

In a speech that smacked as a declaration of war, Mr Williams was particularly scathing of the deadline set by Senator Conroy that Parliament pass the changes by the end of next week.

Mr Williams said Senator Conroy had "put a gun to the head of the Parliament, our industry and the Australian public".

Proposed media reforms

The appointment of a Public Interest Media Advocate (PIMA) to oversee self-regulatory bodies such as the Press Council.

The PIMA, who will be appointed by the Minister, will decree whether a media complaints handling body is "authorised". Only media organisations that are members of an authorised body are able to maintain their exemptions to privacy laws.

The PIMA will also use a new public interest test to allow or prevent nationally significant media mergers.

An extension of the Government's commercial television licence fee rebate - saving free-to-air television networks an estimated $134 million this financial year.

A removal of the 75 per cent audience reach rule that prevents metropolitan television stations from owning partners in regional areas.

An update to the charters governing the ethics and behaviour of the ABC and SBS to reflect online and digital activities.

"This is Soviet-style argument," he said.

"How dare Senator Conroy say he believes passionately in freedom of the press as a cornerstone of democracy.

"It is impossible to believe any such thing when these proposals are examined in a sober, disciplined way."

He also attacked the Government's proposal to appoint a new media watchdog, called a Public Interest Media Advocate, to be the final arbiter of major media mergers and to authorise independent bodies that deal with media standards and complaints.

Mr Williams renamed the body the "Public Interest Tsar" and says the Advocate would have too much power.

"Effectively the government-appointed advocate will have the power to close down our ability to report on that which is going on in our society," he said.

"Frankly, the so-called public interest test is nothing more than a political interest test."